Comments on: Verizon U-Turns, OKs Pro Choice TXT MSG

Reverses Decision Denying Request By NARAL To Use Sign-Up Text Message Program

[oleander8]

Abortion is legal. If you don''t like abortion - don''t have one.

[sassalin]

JoshDestard,
If you are going to object that is fine. It''s your right but please do it on a better basis. You can look at this as the PRO-CHOICE trying to force their beliefs on people also.

[andor3]

someone said: "The 1st Amendment prevents the government from interfering with free speech, not private companies. Companies are free to set their own standards."

The 1st amendment does not PREVENT, it GRANTS to everyone a right to freedom of speech. A right is not conditional, and neither the government nor a company nor a person can interfere with a right without due process of law.

It is troubling that Americans are so timid and tentative when it comes to claiming and defending their rights. Defending these rights loudly and vigorously is what defined the nation. Yes it is an entitlement, and yes we are each entitled.

[sblake63]

I am glad I am with SPRINT. But I tell you this, I am a rather "active" member of the PRO LIFE movment. Right after posting this, I am going to call my former employer (Verizon) and make sure they will also allow pro life groups to send text messages to their members using Verizon''s service, if so then I have no problem with NARAL sending their pro-death messages. If not, I am going to contact the ACLJ which is a Christian legal group and verizon will be SUED.. Chose life - Your mother did !

[huskerarmy]

These companies answer to their stockholders, not NGOs. It''''s called freedom, privacy, and capitalism. Why is this news? Posted by grpdiver

Phone companies are subject to the "common carrier" regulatory regime. The common carrier policy requires that a network owner treat all information the same, and prohibits the owner from halting, slowing, or otherwise tampering with the transfer of any data.

[grumpas]

I am with JoshDestardi! I don''t like anyone dictating what I believe. Which is why I object to the whole Pro-life movement. It''s all about imposing their belief''s upon every American in the form of laws. I am with AT&T and will not ever bother with Verizon if that is the way they are!

[GRPDiver]

"Nancy Keenan, NARAL''s president, told The New York Times, which first reported the story on its Web site Wednesday night, that Verizon''s decision interfered with political speech and activism."

So what? The 1st Amendment prevents the government from interfering with free speech, not private companies. Companies are free to set their own standards. Walmart can choose to not to carry certain music. Verizon can choose what it carries on its network. Local TV stations can choose what to broadcast. Verizon can choose what concert tours to sponsor. Consumers can choose to buy or not buy from those companies. These companies answer to their stockholders, not NGOs. It''s called freedom, privacy, and capitalism. Why is this news?

[hissteps4u]

If I get Text Message Spammed by this Organization because Verizon allows such to happen I will drop the service Immediately and forever.

[kcrummey]

I work with Verizon Wireless'' corporate communications group. Jeffrey Nelson, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless and quoted in the story above, made the following statement this morning:

%u201CThe decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have fixed the process that led to this isolated incident.

%u201CUpon learning about this situation, senior Verizon Wireless executives immediately reviewed the decision and determined it was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy. That policy, developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and adult materials sent to children.

%u201CVerizon Wireless is proud to provide services such as text messaging, which are being harnessed by organizations and individuals communicating their diverse opinions about issues and topics. We have great respect for this free flow of ideas and will continue to protect the ability to communicate broadly through our messaging service.%u201D

[joshdestardi]

Whether or not you are pro-choice, or pro-life, you should be upset with this...what happens when a company that you pay to provide a service dictates to YOU what information you can and cannot receive as far as political party, political beliefs, whatever else? Disgusting. I switched from VZ a long time ago.